by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Corrections and clarifications: An earlier version of this story did not make clear that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were interviewed before Sasheer Zamata landed the job at SNL.

After much public criticism, Saturday Night Live added an African-American woman to the cast. The news was announced Monday evening.

Sasheer Zamata, 27, will become SNL's first black female cast member since Maya Rudolph left the show in 2007. Look for her to make her debut on Jan. 18.

Pressure much?

Here's some reaction to the casting:

Tina Fey: to The Hollywood Reporter (in an interview done before Zamata was announced as having landed the job): "I think Kerry Washington did such a great job on the [Nov. 2] show [in a sketch that addressed the controversy]. And you saw how great it was for Jay Pharoah to have someone playing Michelle Obama opposite [his President Obama]. So I feel like they registered that really quickly and they've acted on it really quickly."

Amy Poehler to The Hollywood Reporter (in the same interview - done before Zamata landed the role): "Ugh, I don't want to talk about this. Pass."

CNN anchor Don Lemon on Tuesday's Tom Joyner Show: "It's hard to believe in 2014 that we're still talking about the importance of diversity in television." He added that Zamata may face extreme and unfair pressure. "You can also look for a whole lot of scrutiny and criticism from some who are looking for an excuse to say she got her job to fill a quota because she's black," he said, adding "...it probably won't be easy for Zamata - who, in the glaring spotlight that's about to be trained on her, is going to have to be a whole lot funnier than she is black."

SNL star Bobby Moynihan: "I can't even imagine what the next three weeks of her life will be like," he tells The Daily Beast. But he is rooting for her. "I've seen her perform before. She's the greatest. We're very, very lucky. Also, I'm just happy to have a friend around." Moynihan and Zamata's connection goes way back. Just before Moynihan made his own SNL debut he performed with Zamata's Upright Citizens Brigade at Zamata's college, the University of Virginia. As for what we can expect from Zamata‚?¶she must have a killer Michelle Obama impression, right? "I don't know if they want me to say it," Moynihan tells The Beast. "I'll let her show you what she can do in a few weeks."

Sherri Shepherd on Twitter: "Congratulations to Sasheer Zamata ... for joining the cast of #SNL ... enjoy the ride mama!"